When a Shoulder Injury Becomes a Workers’ Comp Claim
Shoulder injuries are some of the most common workplace-related musculoskeletal issues I treat. They’re often caused by heavy lifting, overhead work, falls, or repetitive tasks. Some common examples include:
Rotator cuff tears from lifting or sudden trauma
Shoulder dislocations or instability after a fall or accident
Tendonitis, bursitis, or impingement syndrome from repetitive motions
Fractures and AC Joint Sprains caused by trauma or impact
Deltoid Muscle Strains and Contusions related to work duties
If your injury occurred at work or was caused by your job duties, you may qualify for workers’ compensation. The first step is always to report your injury to your employer right away—this starts the WC process.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim: What to Expect
Ultimately, follow the protocol of your employer, but here’s what I tell my patients to prepare for:
Report the injury immediately: Each state has deadlines for filing a claim, so don’t delay. The sooner your injury is documented, the earlier you can get the treatment you need. Once your injury is reported, the next immediate thing to do is to seek care.
Get evaluated by an approved orthopedic physician: Ask your employer or insurance adjuster for a list of authorized providers that specialize in the body part of your injury—and request to see a specialist like myself at Optim Orthopedics.
Accurate diagnosis matters: I use advanced imaging to pinpoint injuries and ensure nothing is missed. An orthopedic physician is equipped with the tools and expertise to account for musculoskeletal history/exam and order the appropriate diagnostic tests.
Start treatment right away: Once evaluated, we provide clear & efficient plans for treatment which could be medication, injections, physical therapy, or surgery if needed. Ultimately, the goal is to create safe return-to-work timelines and get you back to your pre-injury functionality.
We’ll handle the paperwork: My team works closely with WC case managers and employers so you can focus on healing.
Why You Should See a Shoulder Specialist First
Too often, shoulder injuries are underestimated or misdiagnosed early on, leading to longer recovery times. Sometimes that is because we compensate to mask the mobility deficit or with a deep tissue injury, the skin shows no visible changes like bruising or deformity. Or, even normal x-rays may not reveal the soft tissue damage unless the specialist knows what to look for. At Optim Orthopedics, our fellowship-trained surgeons are shoulder specialists who understand the unique challenges of WC cases:
Expert-level diagnosis and treatment plans
Dedicated workers’ comp coordinators to help you through approvals
On-site imaging, physical therapy and surgical centers for efficient care
Clear communication with your employer to ease your return to work
Your Recovery Roadmap with Optim Orthopedics
We focus on comprehensive recovery plans designed to get you back to work safely and confidently. This may include:
Diagnostic specific physical therapy to restore mobility, strength and function
Out-Patient surgery for significant fractures, tears or instability
Return-to-work guidance, including light-duty recommendations transitioning to regular work duty
Ongoing support to ensure you’re healing physically and optimizing recovery
My Advice to Injured Workers
If you’ve hurt your shoulder on the job, don’t wait and hope it gets better. Report it to your supervisor immediately. Filing a workers’ comp claim may feel intimidating, but having a trusted medical team specializing in YOUR injured body part, makes all the difference. At Optim Orthopedics, we guide you every step of the way—from filing your claim to getting back to your normal and on the job safely.
Your health is your livelihood. Let’s get you back to both.
Thomas Alexander, MD – Sports Medicine & Shoulder Specialist at Optim Orthopedics, Workers’ Compensation